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Daytona Cubs Insider: The News-Journal's preseason superlatives

Daytona Cubs shortstop Javier Baez hit four home runs in spring training with the Chicago Cubs. He is the No. 1 prospect in the organization and 16th on Baseball America's Top 100 list.

Associated Press/ Chris Carlson

SEAN KERNANSTAFF WRITER

Published: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 10:12 p.m.

A quick look at some of the top hitters and pitchers for the 2013 Daytona Cubs:

Facts

SEASON OPENER

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. ThursdayOPPONENT: Brevard County ManateesWHERE: Jackie Robinson BallparkNEED TO KNOW: There will be pregame ceremonies around 6:45 p.m. and a postgame fireworks show. Although it's a Thursday, the Cubs' "Thirsty Thursday" promotion will not be in effect.TICKETS: VIP seats, $12; general admission grandstands and bleachers, $7 adults, $6 seniors 60 and up, children 13 and under and military.MORE INFO: daytona.cubs.milb.com

BEST HITTER FOR AVERAGE – Tim Saunders: He batted .381 between three stops (Arizona Rookie, Midwest and Florida State leagues) last year. But also watch for Stephen Bruno (.361 to lead Northwest League) and Ben Carhart (.353 in Arizona Rookie League).

BEST POWER HITTER – Dustin Geiger: At least that's what the numbers say. He belted 17 homers last year – 13 more than he had in 2010 and '11 combined. Javier Baez and Jorge Soler also will bust the Cubs' budget for baseballs.

BEST BASERUNNER – John Andreoli: He led the FSL with 55 stolen bases last year.

FASTEST BASERUNNER – Tim Saunders and Zeke DeVoss: The Cubs should have these two speedsters face off against each other.

MOST LIKELY TO GET DIRTY – Chad Noble, Micah Gibbs and Taylor Davis: These three catchers are the ultimate gamers. They may not get a lot of attention, but Daytona's pitchers will benefit from this trio.

MOST LIKELY TO PULL A PRANK – Micah Gibbs: When Gibbs gave Dustin Geiger a wakeup call Monday to tell him the team bus was waiting on him, it sent Geiger into a mad rush. It was just Gibbs' way to start off April Fools Day.

BEST PROSPECT – Javier Baez: The shortstop is the No. 1 prospect in the organization and 16th on Baseball America's Top 100 list.

RICHEST MAN IN THE CLUBHOUSE – Jorge Soler: The 6-foot-4, 215-pound outfielder has 30 million reasons to smile. He inked a nine-year, $30 million contract last year that included a reported $6 million signing bonus – the largest in Chicago Cubs history.

<p><i>A quick look at some of the top hitters and pitchers for the 2013 Daytona Cubs:</i></p><p><b>BEST FASTBALL – Ben Wells:</b> The big, 20-year-old right-hander can flat out bring it.</p><p><b>BEST CURVEBALL – Ryan Searle:</b> The Aussie will drop the hook on batters.</p><p><b>BEST SLIDER – Searle:</b> Yes, he's also got the best slider on the staff. Kind of makes you wonder why he's here for a fifth time, but he's only 23.</p><p><b>BEST CHANGEUP – P.J. Francescon:</b> The 2011 40th-round draft pick keeps hitters off balance with his great changeup.</p><p><b>BEST COMMAND – Frank Del Valle:</b> The southpaw pounds the strike zone. He issued 30 walks in 99 1/3 innings here last season.</p><p><b>BEST HITTER FOR AVERAGE – Tim Saunders:</b> He batted .381 between three stops (Arizona Rookie, Midwest and Florida State leagues) last year. But also watch for Stephen Bruno (.361 to lead Northwest League) and Ben Carhart (.353 in Arizona Rookie League).</p><p><b>BEST POWER HITTER – Dustin Geiger:</b> At least that's what the numbers say. He belted 17 homers last year – 13 more than he had in 2010 and '11 combined. Javier Baez and Jorge Soler also will bust the Cubs' budget for baseballs.</p><p><b>BEST BASERUNNER – John Andreoli:</b> He led the FSL with 55 stolen bases last year.</p><p><b>FASTEST BASERUNNER – Tim Saunders and Zeke DeVoss:</b> The Cubs should have these two speedsters face off against each other.</p><p><b>MOST LIKELY TO GET DIRTY – Chad Noble, Micah Gibbs and Taylor Davis:</b> These three catchers are the ultimate gamers. They may not get a lot of attention, but Daytona's pitchers will benefit from this trio.</p><p><b>MOST LIKELY TO PULL A PRANK – Micah Gibbs:</b> When Gibbs gave Dustin Geiger a wakeup call Monday to tell him the team bus was waiting on him, it sent Geiger into a mad rush. It was just Gibbs' way to start off April Fools Day.</p><p><b>BEST PROSPECT – Javier Baez:</b> The shortstop is the No. 1 prospect in the organization and 16th on Baseball America's Top 100 list.</p><p><b>RICHEST MAN IN THE CLUBHOUSE – Jorge Soler:</b> The 6-foot-4, 215-pound outfielder has 30 million reasons to smile. He inked a nine-year, $30 million contract last year that included a reported $6 million signing bonus – the largest in Chicago Cubs history.</p>